It is week two of the National Safety Council‘s Distracted Driving Awareness month! Again we would like to dedicate this post to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for encouraging us to help spread the word on the dangers of Distracted Driving.

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons‐Harris Interactive Survey Results

The survey results reveal how American drivers feel about multitasking, their own behavior behind the wheel as well as the choices of other drivers.

• Drivers are more likely to report observing distracted behaviors in other drivers than say they engage in the activity themselves, for instance, 99% report seeing other drivers talking on a cell phone and only 61% report that they have done this.
• Eighty‐seven percent (87%) said they have seen other drivers grooming themselves whereas only one out of five (18%) report that they have done this.
• Of the more than 1,500 driving‐age adults surveyed, NONE of them reported their own driving as unsafe. In fact, 83 percent claim to drive safely. And, yet they believe only 10 percent of other drivers drive “safely.”
• Although drivers are aware that distracted driving compromises the ability of others to drive safely, one in five (20%) agree that they are a good enough driver that they can do other things while driving without compromising [their driving ability].
• Among those who self‐reported distracted driving behaviors overall, 30‐44 year olds seem to be the worst offenders who most frequently admitted to eating or drinking, talking on a cell phone or reaching in the back seat of the car while driving.
• Many drivers who have experienced a near‐accident due to their own distracted driving behavior say they will continue the behavior that caused them to swerve or slam on the breaks to avoid an accident.
• The results showed that 94 percent of drivers in America believe that distracted driving is a problem in the U.S. and 89 percent believe it is a problem within their own communities.
• Drivers report that nearly half of all drivers (46%) say they encounter on a typical day are distracted driving.
• Nine out of ten drivers say that distracted driving is a very serious or serious problem among teenagers (90%) and young adults 20‐24 (86%).
• Half of all drivers think about their driving before they get behind the wheel.
• Virtually all (96%) of passengers say they sometimes or always mention a distracting behavior to the driver.
• Four out of five (81%) drivers have avoided an accident with another driver who appeared to be distracted while driving.
• Men (24%) are more likely than women (18%) to believe they can multi‐task while driving.

Thanks to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons for this week’s article!

Each day in the United States nearly 1,000 people are injured while lifting or carrying material.  Most of these injuries are caused by improper lifting and carrying techniques.  These injuries are often debilitating and painful and may require physical therapy and surgery, and lead to lifelong pain.  The following procedures should be used to reduce the risk of these types of injuries.

Before you begin to lift:

• Use mechanical lifting devices when possible.  The use of cranes, forklifts, hand carts or dollies will reduce the risk of lower back strains.
• Plan you lift.  Determine what will be lifted, the weight of the object you will be lifting and where the object is going.

When lifting:

• Center yourself close to the object.
• Bend your knees, keep you back straight and bend down.
• Make sure you have a good, firm grip on the object before lifting.
• Keep you back straight and the object close to the body and lift by standing up.  Use your leg muscles to lift the object.  Use the reverse of this procedure when setting down loads.

Other Lifting and Carrying Procedures:

• All loads that weigh over 50 pounds shall not be lifted by a single employee.
• Do not exceed your lifting capabilities.
• Size up the load before you lift.
• Do not twist your body while lifting or carrying.
• Carry loads close to the body.
• Do not lift heavy objects above or away from your body.
• Stop lifting immediately if you feel pain.
• Maintain a clear view of your travel path while carrying objects.
• When carrying materials up or down stairs one hand shall be available to grasp handrails.
• Wear the proper hand protection for the object to be lifted and carried.
• When two or more employees are required to lift an object make sure good communication procedures are in place.

Use these precautions to reduce your risk of suffering an injury while lifting or carrying objects.

Batteries and Battery Charging

A battery is a container consisting of one or more cell carrying an electric charge and used as a source of power.  Batteries produce hydrogen and sulfur gas mixtures which are highly flammable or even explosive.

General Requirements

Batteries of the unsealed type shall be located in enclosures with outside vents or in well ventilated rooms and shall be arranged so as to prevent the escape of fumes, gases, or electrolyte spray into other areas.

• Ventilation shall be provided to ensure diffusion of the gases from the battery and to prevent the accumulation of an explosive mixture.
• Racks and trays shall b e substantial and shall be treated to make them resistant to the electrolyte.
• Floors shall be of acid resistant construction unless protected from acid accumulations.
• Face shields, apron and rubber gloves shall be provided for workers handling acids or batteries.
• Facilities for quick drenching of the eyes and body shall be provided within 25 feet of battery handling areas.
• Facilities shall be provided for flushing and neutralizing spilled electrolyte and for fire protection.

Charging

• Battery charging installations shall be located in areas designated for that purpose.
• Charging apparatus shall be protected from damage by trucks.
• When batteries are being charged, the vent caps shall be kept in place to avoid electrolyte spray.  Vent caps shall be maintained in functioning condition.
• Batteries shall only be charged in well ventilated areas free of flames, sparks or lighted tobacco.

Respirators are an effective method of protection against designated hazards when properly selected and worn. Respirator use is encouraged, even when exposures are below the exposure limit, to provide an additional level of comfort and protection for workers. However, if a respirator is used improperly or not kept clean, the respirator itself can become a hazard to the worker. Sometimes, workers may wear respirators to avoid exposures to hazards, even if the amount of hazardous substance does not exceed the limits set by OSHA standards. If Gribbins Insulation provides respirators for your voluntary use, or if you provide your own respirator, you need to take certain precautions to be sure that the respirator itself does not present a hazard.

Guidelines for the proper use of Respirators:

1. Read and heed all instructions provided by the manufacturer on use, maintenance, cleaning and care, and warnings regarding the respirators limitations.
2. Choose respirators certified for use to protect against the contaminant of concern. NIOSH, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, certifies respirators. A label or statement of certification should appear on the respirator or respirator packaging. It will tell you what the respirator is designed for and how much it will protect you.
3. Do not wear your respirator into atmospheres containing contaminants for which your respirator is not designed to protect against. For example, a respirator designed to filter dust particles will not protect you against gases, vapors, or very small solid particles of fumes or smoke.
4. Keep track of your respirator so that you do not mistakenly use someone else’s respirator.

Gribbins Insulation Company may provide respirators at the request of employees or permit employees to use their own respirators, if Gribbins Insulation Company determines that such respirator use will not in itself create a hazard.  If voluntary respirator use is permissible, Gribbins Insulation shall provide the respirator users with the information contained in Appendix D of the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (see link below).

In addition, Gribbins Insulation Company must establish and implement those elements of a written respiratory protection program necessary to ensure that any employee using a respirator voluntarily is medically able to use that respirator, and that the respirator is cleaned, stored and maintained so that its use does not prevent health hazards to the user.  

Appendix D to Sec. 1910.134 (Mandatory) Information for Employees Using Respirators When Not Required Under the Standard

4th of July weekend is here!  And that means sun, fun…and fireworks!  Follow these guidelines from the National Council on Fireworks Safety and the National Safety Council to ensure a safe fireworks display.

Stats to Consider:

In 2006, an estimated 9,200 people were treated in emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries, 36 percent of whom were under 15 years old.  Children between the ages of 10 and 14 were at three times the risk of fireworks injuries than the general population. About a third of the injuries were from small firecrackers, 21 percent from bottle rockets and 20 percent from sparklers. In 2004, fireworks caused $21 million in direct property damage.

The National Safety Council advises the best way to safely enjoy this 4th of July is to watch a public fireworks display conducted by professionals.  However, if fireworks are legal where you live and you decide to use them, be sure to follow these safety tips.

General Fireworks Safety Tips:

• Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
• Older children should use fireworks only under close adult supervision.
• Light fireworks outdoors in a clear area away from onlookers, houses and flammable materials.
• Light one device at a time; maintain a safe distance after lighting.
• Do not allow any running or horseplay while fireworks are being used.
• Never ignite devices in a container.
• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks; douse and soak them with water and discard them safely.
• Keep a bucket of water and hose nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire.

“Fireworks Smart” Before, During, and After:

The National Council on Fireworks Safety urges consumers to be “fireworks smart” – before, during, and after their fireworks display.

• Before: Choose an open area away from spectators, homes, buildings, and dry vegetation.  Use a garden hose to wet down the area before firing.
• During: As each device burns out, soak it using a hose or bucket of water.
• After: Place all used items in a covered, fireproof container and leave it outside and away from homes and buildings.

Special Safety Tips for Sparklers:

• Children under the age of 12 should not use sparklers without very close adult supervision.
• Always remain standing while using sparklers.
• Never hold a child in your arms while using sparklers.
• Never hold or light more than one sparkler at a time.
• Sparklers and bare feet can be a painful combination.  Always wear closed-toe shoes when using sparklers.
• Sparkler wire and stick remain hot long after the flame has gone out.  Be sure to drop the spent sparklers directly into a bucket of water.
• Never hand a lighted sparkler to another person.  Give them the unlit sparkler and then light it.
• Always stand at least 6 feet from another person while using sparklers.
• Never throw sparklers.
• Show children how to hold sparklers away from their body and at arm’s length.
• Teach children not to wave sparklers, especially wooden stick sparklers, or run while holding sparklers.